Home

Curated by Breana, Lexi, Giovanna

Focusing on the concept of home, we aimed to reflect on how our immigration stories have shaped our understanding and experience of what home means. Through experiences of separation and loss, our perceptions of home and the memories tied to it vary significantly. This is why we showcased diverse images in our “tiles” on the wall, each representing a unique interpretation of home, and held a symbolic place at our table for someone missing. Borders and immigration policies have introduced uncertainty into our lives, leading some of us to redefine home as a fluid, mobile concept that travels with us, regardless of where in the world we may be.

By incorporating these elements into our panel, we sought to illustrate the profound impact of migration on our sense of belonging. Art challenges the traditional notions of home, questioning its stability and permanence. The overarching theme of this exploration was to delve into the nuanced complexities of how migration affects our perception of home, community, and identity. Each individual's relationship to home is unique, influenced by personal histories, cultural backgrounds, and the ever-changing landscapes of our lives.

A dinner table represents people coming together to share a meal. However, details of the table setting hint at division and pain from political violence. A ceramic bottle and the poem, Padre Caído (Fallen Father), is an homage to people who find difficulty in coping with the hardships of being undocumented in the U.S.. The poem is inspired by the author’s grandfather who suffered from alcoholism and could not work in the U.S.. His story is a testament to how immigration policy negatively affects family dynamics. Next to this plate setting rests a mug entangled by a beaded rosary. This is to represent those who can only hope and pray for change. The poem, Ramas Márchitas (Withered Branches), was written for strained mother-daughter relationships due to border policies. These individual stories come together to show the impact of immigration policy on families.